On the night of July 26/27 men of the 18th Battalion carried out a “minor trench raid”. The weather was “Fine but dull”[i] on that day. In that raid were two men, originals with the Battalion, who both have quite different stories. Private Forrester Private Alfred Forrester, reg. no. 53648[ii] war service started out rather … Continue reading Two Men. Two Scouts. One Raid.
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“The day is beautiful and everything is quiet as night.”
Introduction One of the challenges of understanding the service and experiences of the men of the 18th Battalion is that experience, removed in time and distance, is sanitized by the War Diaries. The 18th Battalion war diaries are often bereft of detail and often only deal with the bare minimum of the military events that … Continue reading “The day is beautiful and everything is quiet as night.”
Private Aikenhead and the “Younger Set”
18th Battalion Association[i] Windsor and Detroit Branch *MEMORIES* Every time we meet Harold Aikenhead[ii], the general and competent Secretary of our London Branch, it always brings back memories of our first or second trip into the Front Line. I don’t recall where it was but Harold claims it was B & C trenches and he … Continue reading Private Aikenhead and the “Younger Set”
Apparently, it is an actual hell out there at times: The Letters of Sergeant Wallace
A series of four news articles from the St. Thomas Times-Journal illuminates the career of John A. Wallace who was an original member of the 18th Battalion[i]. The articles span from November 1914 to October 1915 and offer insights into the life of Wallace, and by extension, the other non-commissioned men of the Battalion. The … Continue reading Apparently, it is an actual hell out there at times: The Letters of Sergeant Wallace
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: March 1917
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion – 2nd Canadian Division From 1st March to 31st March 1917 Volume 19 7 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Brigade Support 1 18th Battalion in Brigade Support THELUS SECTOR. Working parties out repairing and draining support and communication trenches. 2 Position same. LIEUT. Col. G.F. … Continue reading War Diary of the 18th Battalion: March 1917
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: February 1917
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion - 2nd Canadian Division From 1st February to 28th February 1917 Volume 18 5 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information AUCHEL 1 Battalion in Rest Billets. Physical exercises. Bayonet fighting. Company and Platoon drills, 19 o.r.s sick admitted to hospital[i]. 2 o.r.s returned from hospital. 2 … Continue reading War Diary of the 18th Battalion: February 1917
War Diary of the 18th Battalion: August 1916
CONFIDENTIAL WAR DIARY OF 18th Canadian Battalion – 2nd Canadian Division From 1st August to 31st August 1916 Volume 12 With appendices 1 [1] Corrected from CRYOTA to CHRYSTAL. Original transcription was incorrect. Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information ALBERTA CAMP 1 Battalion in reserve at ALBERTA CAMP. Pay and Bath parades. 20 … Continue reading War Diary of the 18th Battalion: August 1916
August 1916: The Butcher’s Bill
August 1916 appears to be a relatively quiet month for the 18th Battalion. Appears. On August 8th Lieutenant Brown, during a grenade demonstration and training session was accidentally killed when a grenade he was holding exploded. 14 other men where wounded during this incident. It could have been much worse. With only 3 men killed, … Continue reading August 1916: The Butcher’s Bill
The Accidental Death of Lieutenant William Ormiston Brown
Warning: This post contains a graphic description of Lieutenant William Ormiston Brown's wounds and resulting death. During the First World War the statistics of accidental death or wounding resulting in death were not kept. During World War II only 7 officers serving were killed accidentally at a rate of 0.3 percent. Accidental deaths for other … Continue reading The Accidental Death of Lieutenant William Ormiston Brown
